He confirms the verse above, and says, that although Zedekiah had many soldiers as a garrison, and accustomed the people to
bear arms, yet all this would not profit him, since God would disperse all the guards in whom he trusted. He says then, that he would scatter to every wind all who were around Zedekiah For
unbelievers were deceived when they saw the king surrounded by auxiliaries, and the people of the city trained to warfare:
and since Zedekiah was so armed for the defense of the city, they thought it could never be taken by the Chaldeans. God, therefore,
here first of all teaches that the war was carried on under his auspices, and then that there was no doubt of his taking the
city. He does not speak of the Chaldeans, lest unbelievers should institute a comparison — “it is true indeed that the
Chaldeans are besieging the city with a strong and numerous army, but the city is impregnable, and besides it is defended
with great spirit, and the king has forces sufficiently strong for his defense.” Lest this opinion should foolishly deceive
the disbelievers, God comes into the field and turns their attention away from the Chaldeans. For this reason he ascribes
to himself the conduct of the enemy: hence we gather that profane nations are in God’s hands, since he not only governs them
by the
spirit of regeneration, but compels even the impious, who desire to abolish his authority, to obey his commands. God does
not draw his sword from heaven, nor do angels openly appear with drawn swords; the Chaldeans do that; but as it is said in
Isaiah, (Isaiah 10:15,) Shall the ax boast itself against its owner? Since thus the vigor of the Chaldeans was nothing in itself, God armed them
and then afforded them the success which he wished. It follows —